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On the trail of a dragon!

Bath’s Victoria Art Gallery, which is run by Bath & North East Somerset Council, is launching a new family trail around the city this summer, to coincide with the Here Be Dragons exhibition (22 July-8 October 2017).

Eight virtual dragon eggs will be hidden in Bath city centre, each designed in the style of a children’s illustrator, including Axel Scheffler, Russell Ayto and Quentin Blake.

Families can begin hunting by downloading the free ‘Where Be Dragons?’ app from iTunes or Google Play. They can follow the compass in the app to find eight posters around Bath, each featuring the work of a children’s illustrator. When pointing your device at the poster a virtual egg will appear and be added to your collection.

On the shell of each egg is a gold letter. Find them all and complete the anagram to complete the challenge.

All players who manage to complete the trail and solve the anagram can enter a prize draw to win one of three goody bags containing signed books, toys, games and tickets. Entrants must be over 14 years old.

Everyone who takes part will also be able to collect a free bookmark from the Victoria Art Gallery (subject to availability, during opening hours).

Councillor Paul Myers (Conservative Midsomer Norton Redfield) Cabinet Member for Economic and Community Regeneration, said: “This is an exciting exhibition and trail for families to take part in over the summer. Dragons are really popular fictional characters and I am sure this exhibition and trail will attract local residents and visitors alike.”

Here Be Dragons will take over Victoria Art Gallery from Saturday 22 July until Sunday 8 October 2017. Visitors to this awe-inspiring exhibition can expect to encounter a veritable dragon’s den – in two and three dimensions – crammed with creatures that have leapt out of their favourite books.

The show will mine a rich seam of dragon lore, with images by some of the world’s best children’s illustrators, including Chris Riddell (Ottaline and Goth Girl), Axel Scheffler (The Gruffalo), Quentin Blake and Cressida Cowell (How to Train Your Dragon). There will be more than 70 pieces on show, with something for visitors of all ages, from ‘touch and feel’ art for babies to scary, fire-breathing dragons for older fans.

Exciting dragon events, workshops and storytelling sessions will take place at the gallery, including an opening celebration where children can help create a Lego mosaic of Cressida Cowell’s Seadragonus Giganticus Maximus, which will be displayed in the show. Copies of famous dragon tales will be available to browse in the story corner and purchase in the gallery shop.

The exhibition is guest curated by John and Gill McLay, founders of Bath Children’s Literature Festival. Gill McLay said: “In everything we do, we try to bring together art, story and entertainment and the exhibition will do just that. A true celebration of the illustrator, we hope this family-focused exhibition will bring families together in their love of dragons and the world of imagination. We’re hugely excited to be working with the team at the Victoria Art Gallery and grateful for the opportunity to share some breathtaking artwork with children of all ages.”

Celebrate the opening of the exhibition by taking part in our Lego public build mosaic. Children will jointly build an artwork to go in the show – Cressida Cowell’s very own Seadragonus Giganticus Maximus.

Face of the dragonWednesday 26 July, 10.30am – 12.30pm and 1.30pm – 3.30pmAges 3 to 7 years old